In an increasingly data-driven society, sensors and actuators are the bridge between the physical world and the world of "data." Electroacoustic transducers convert acoustic energy into electrical energy (or vice versa), so it can be interpreted as data. Piezoelectric materials are often used for transducer manufacturing, and recent advancements in additive manufacturing have enabled this material to take on complex geometric forms with micro-scale features. This work advances the additive manufacturing of piezoelectric materials by developing a model for predictive success of complex 3D printed geometries in Mask Image Projection-Stereolithography (MIP-SL) by accounting for mechanical wear on Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). This work proposes a framework for the rapid manufacture of 3D printed transducers, adaptable to a multitude of transducer element forms. Using the print model and transducer framework, latticed hydrophone elements are designed and tested, showing evidence of selectively tunable sensitivity, resonance, and directivity pattern. These technology advancements are extended to enable a workflow for users to input polar coordinates and receive an acoustic element of a continuously tuned directivity pattern. Investigation into customer problem spaces via tech-push methods are adapted from the NSF's Lean Launchpad to reveal insight to the problems faced in hydrophone applications and other neighboring problem spaces. / Master of Science / In an increasingly data-driven world, sensors are the bridge between the physical world and the world of "data." The better the sensor; the better the data. Electroacoustic transducers are sensors that convert acoustic sound energy into electrical energy or vice versa. These are observed in the world around us as microphones, speakers, ultrasound devices, and more. In the early 1900's, piezoelectric materials became one of the dominant methods for transducer creation, and recent advancements in additive manufacturing have enabled this material to take on highly complex geometric forms with micro-scale feature sizes. Further advancements to additive manufacturing of piezoelectric materials are contributed through development of a model for predicting the success of complex 3D printed geometries in an Mask Image Projection-Stereolithography (MIP-SL) by accounting for mechanical wear on the Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) print window. This work proposes a framework for the rapid manufacture of 3D printed transducers, adaptable to a multitude of element forms. Using the developed print model and transducer framework, latticed hydrophone elements are designed and tested, showing evidence of selectively tunable sensitivity, resonance and beampattern. The advancements in technology are extended to enable a workflow for users to input polar coordinates and receive an acoustic element of continuously tuned beampattern. Investigation into customer problem spaces via tech-push methods are adapted from NSF's Lean Launchpad and reveals great insight to the problems faced in hydrophone applications and other neighboring industry spaces.

The purpose of this dissertation is to explore an entrepreneurial framework that this dissertation calls A First Principles Approach to Product Development in Entrepreneurship. The goal is to improve safety for bicycle riders. This research project identifies, applies, and assesses product development methodologies in a way that is grounded in qualitative research. The framework that encompasses those methodologies was created to bridge the gaps between entrepreneurship, engineering design, and industrial design, where the framework was specifically applied to bicycle helmets and examined as a case study. The framework is intended for entrepreneurs, product developers, and researchers who are developing physical, capital-intensive products, where the key stakeholder who is describing a problem is also close to the purchasing decision. Parts of this dissertation describe a framework that is generalizable to other startups and other parts of this dissertation are specific to developing bike helmets. Failure rates in entrepreneurship can often be between 30 to 75%. In addition, there are examples in motorcycling, football, and bicycling where companies are only designing and developing personal protective equipment (PPE) to the industry standard with little or no consideration for other relevant injury biomechanics. In response, this dissertation explores a series of product development methodologies, in a manner that is grounded in qualitative research, with the goal of improving safety for the rider and reducing the risk of failure for launching a new venture. The first principles approach described in this dissertation begins with Customer Discovery which is a process of conducting interviews with key stakeholders, in order to challenge and support evolving hypothesis about a potential new venture. The process begins with deconstructing an initial idea into product, market, and customer risk hypotheses. Next, a process for creating and organizing questions, conducting problem interviews, and pivoting is described. During the problem interviews I found a Severe Problem of bicycle helmet fit for US Bike Parents. Then, I examined other aspects for identifying if an opportunity is worth pursuing, namely finding a gap in the marketplace, and observing industry trends. After conducting the problem interviews, I developed and conducted brainstorming sessions with participants who experienced the Severe Problem. The goal for conducting the brainstorming sessions was to dislodge entrenched product ideas, explore the solution landscape, and find a solution that solved the problem the best and was the best opportunity for commercialization. For this dissertation I determined that a custom fit, 3D printed bicycle helmet was an appropriate solution. Next, I developed and conducted solution interviews to determine if the solution solved the participants problem, identify additional product features, and explore various pricing strategies. Once a product brief was created, the next step was product development. Product development can have many variables which can affect how a new venture team should approach development. For this dissertation initial product development began with designing (ideating), printing (prototyping), and impact testing (testing) 3D printed mesostructures. However, during development the strategy was adjusted in response to production issues (iterating). Now that some initial product development was underway, the next step for a first principles approach includes a critical reflection on different aspects of the new venture. A critical reflection can include a feasibility analysis, which is a formative assessment of the potential new venture, an assessment of Customer Discovery, and the application of the Abstraction Ladder to evaluate the problem driving product development. For this dissertation, a critical reflection also included an evaluation of other product development methodologies, as well as continued application of the Abstraction Ladder to direct the critical evaluation of other foundational elements that relate to bicycle helmets and safety. / Doctor of Philosophy / Startups can and do fail. For an entrepreneur, product developer, or researcher with a physical and capital-intensive product idea, this dissertation can serve as a resource to bridge the gaps between business, engineering, and design and reduce the risk of failure when trying to create a startup. The process described in this dissertation describes how to evaluate the key elements of an idea and conduct a series of interviews with potential customers to find evidence that supports pursing that idea further, challenge the startup team to change some aspect of the idea, or drop it altogether. Once the startup team has found a problem, as well as a solution to that problem, this dissertation describes an approach creating that solution. Then this dissertation describes an approach for critically evaluating the foundational elements of the problem and the solution. The goal for a critical evaluation is to identify additional foundational elements which relate to the product that may increase its value or decrease the risk of product failure.

No description available.

No description available.